Best edit, recording and render settings?

I'm seeing some incredibly sharp and colourful videos on here. I know great weather and scenery helps, but I'm wondering what is everyone's tried and tested process for vision plus (not GoPro).

1. Recording resolution and settings?
2. 'Go to' edit tweaks that cover a multitude of sins?
3. Best render settings for YouTube? This one is a biggie as even if I render at 720hd 29.97 the compression getting added sucks.